29th Native American Culture Festival

 

Schedule of Events

 

Admission is $6.00 per adult; $1.00 ages 6 – 17; Free -6 and under

 

Saturday, June 1 from 10 am – 8 pm

10:00 am – 10:30 am     Native American Flute – Daniel Bigay

10:30 am – 11:00 am     “The Role of Women within Cherokee Culture during the 18^th Century” –   Jackie Fischer

11:00 am – 11:30 am   “Are you Smarter than a …” – Mark and Sherry Finchum

11:30 am – 12:00 pm     Cherokee Storytelling –  Freeman Owle

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm       Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations and                     Blowgun Demonstration –  Dale Cloer, Mossy Creek Drum Group

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm         Native American Flute – Daniel Bigay

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm         “The Work of Cherokee Women within the Clan during the 18^th Century” – Jackie Fischer

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm       “Are you Smarter than a …” –    Mark and Sherry Finchum

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm         Cherokee Storytelling –  Freeman Owle

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm        Native American Dance & Drum Demonstration and        Blowgun Demonstration –  Dale Cloer, Mossy Creek Drum Group

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7:00 pm – 8:00 pm     Traditional Evening Campfire –      

Bring a blanket or folding chair!

featuring Freeman Owle, Mark and Sherry Finchum, Dale Cloer, and Daniel Bigay

Located in the shaded area between the walking trail and Fort Watauga, just below the picnic area –

(Subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather)

 

Sunday, June 2 from 10 am – 6 pm

Sunday morning will feature a special opportunity to visit with the demonstrators and shop with the unique artisans and exceptional craftsmen before the day’s activities begin at 11:30!

11:30 am– 12:00 pm     Cherokee Language Workshop –   Freeman Owle

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm       Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations and Blowgun Demonstration – Dale Cloer, Mossy Creek Drum Group

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm         Native American Flute –  Daniel Bigay

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm         “The Role of Women within Cherokee Culture during the 18^th Century ” –   Jackie Fischer

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm         “Are you Smarter than a …” –   Mark and Sherry Finchum

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm         Cherokee Storytelling –  Freeman Owle

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm         Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations and Blowgun Demonstration –   Dale Cloer, Mossy Creek Drum Group,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The interior of the Visitor Center will also host a variety of excellent demonstrations, which include beadwork, stone carving, Cherokee language, corn shuck dolls, native river cane flutes, a primitive points exhibit and artifact identification courtesy of S. D. Dean, as well as interpretive exhibits from both 18^th century the early 19^th century Cherokee culture with historical reenactors, Mark and Sherry Finchum and historic interpreter Jackie Fischer.

Outside the Visitor Center will host a variety of unique craftsmen and native artisans as well as flint-knapping, exceptional Native American arts and crafts, ethnic Cherokee food, and a fully furnished Lakota Sioux Tipi exhibit.

All proceeds from admissions go to Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, to support this event. This event is made possible by the support of Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, the DoubleTree by Hilton of Johnson City, and the Comfort Inn of Johnson City.

28th Native American Festival Schedule of Events

Don’t let the weather keep you away – we are prepared for the predicted rainy Saturday!   Our vendors will be located inside the Park Visitors Center and outside the building.  All of the programs will be presented indoors in the Gathering Place, which is inside the Park Visitors Center, providing for a dry and enjoyable event!

We have an exciting weekend planned with lots of wonderful and talented guests – we hope you will join us!

Inside and outside the Visitors Center we will host a variety of excellent demonstrations, which include beadwork, gourd art, pine needle basketry, stone carving, Cherokee language, wood carving, corn shuck dolls, native river cane flutes, and an educational Cherokee exhibit with historical reenactors, Mark and Sherry Finchum. In addition there will be a variety of unique craftsmen and native artisans as well as flint-knapping and pottery making demonstrations, and a primitive points exhibit and artifact identification courtesy of S. D. Dean. And don’t forget to check out the ethnic Cherokee food and Lakota Tipi exhibit! 

All proceeds from admissions go to Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, to support this event. This event is made possible by the support of Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, the DoubleTree by Hilton of Johnson City, and the Comfort Inn of Johnson City.

Admission is $6.00 per adult, and $1.00 for children

Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 2     10 am – 8 pm

 

10:00 am – 10:30 am     Native American Flute

Daniel Bigay

10:30 am – 11:00 am     “The Cultural Meaning of Cherokee Dreams”,

Dr. Michael Abram – Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery

Cherokee, North Carolina

11:00 am – 11:30 am   “Are you Smarter than a …”

Mark and Sherry Finchum

11:30 am – 12:00 pm    Cherokee Storytelling

Freeman Owle

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm      Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations

and Blowgun Demonstration

Dale Cloer, Warrior’s Path Drum Group

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm        Native American Flute

Daniel Bigay

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm        “The Life, Humor, and Wisdom of Will Rogers”,

Dr. Michael Abram – Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery

Cherokee, North Carolina

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm       “Are you Smarter than a …”

Mark and Sherry Finchum

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm        Cherokee Storytelling

Freeman Owle

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm       Native American Dance & Drum Demonstration

and Blowgun Demonstration

Dale Cloer, Warrior’s Path Drum Group

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm     Traditional Evening Campfire –      

Bring a blanket or folding chair!

Freeman Owle, Mark and Sherry Finchum, Dale Cloer, Daniel Bigay, Kay Little John

Located at the far end of the field between the Fort and the Visitor Center, by the edge of the tree line 

(Subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather)

 

Sunday, June 3            10 am – 6 pm

Sunday morning will feature a special opportunity to visit with the demonstrators and shop with the unique artisans and exceptional craftsmen before the day’s activities begin at 11:30!

11:30 am– 12:00 pm      Cherokee Language Workshop

Freeman Owle

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm     Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations

and Blowgun Demonstration

Dale Cloer, Warrior’s Path Drum Group

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm        Native American Flute

Daniel Bigay

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm        “The Cultural Meaning of Cherokee Dreams”,

Dr. Michael Abram – Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery

Cherokee, North Carolina

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm        “Are you Smarter than a …”

Mark and Sherry Finchum

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm        Cherokee Storytelling

Freeman Owle

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm        Cherokee Dance & Drum Demonstrations

and Blowgun Demonstration

Dale Cloer, Warrior’s Path Drum Group,

 

28th annual Native American Culture Festival

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

is proud to announce our annual

Native American Festival

to be held

Saturday, and Sunday, June 2^nd and 3^rd , 2018.

 

This educational event provides the opportunity for our visitors to experience many facets of Native American culture, particularly that of the Cherokee. The event opens on Saturday, June 2nd, running from 10 am until 8:00 pm; and from 10:00 am until 6 pm on Sunday June 3rd. Most activities are held at Fort Watauga, unless it rains. In the event of rain the show will relocate to the Visitors Center.  On Saturday evening, a traditional campfire will be held at the far end of the meadow in front of Fort Watauga at 7:00 pm with several guest storytellers. Be sure to bring your own chair or blanket. Sunday morning will feature a special opportunity to visit and shop with the unique artisans and exceptional craftsmen before the day’s activities begin at 11:30.

This weekend long festival will feature traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, traditional Native American song and dance, Cherokee storytelling and legends, Native American flute, Cherokee language workshops, and craft demonstrations and sales.

A unique feature of the Native American Culture festival is our educational/ demonstration area, located within Fort Watauga. The dance circle is located in the center of the fort, where the popular traditional dance and drum performances take place. In addition, flute music, storytelling, lectures, and so much more take place within the circle, which share native culture and history with our visitors

The interior of the fort will also host a variety of excellent demonstrations, which include a children’s blowgun challenge, beadwork, gourd art, pine needle basketry, stone carving, Cherokee language, wood carving, flint-knapping, corn shuck dolls , native river cane flutes, pottery, and a replicated Cherokee cabin from the early 19^th century with historical reenactors, Mark and Sherry Finchum.

 

Just outside the fort, exceptional Native American arts and crafts will be featured, in addition to ethnic Cherokee food, and a Lakota Tipi exhibit.

In our annual tradition, the circle will host several performances of Native American music, drum, and dance. The dancing demonstrations will include the Fancy Dance and Hoop Dance, the Jingle Dance, the Men’s Traditional, Grass and Straight Dances, and many more. All are invited to dance, so bring your regalia. Newly added will be a demonstration of 18^th century Cherokee social dancing. The host of this portion of the event, Dale Cloer, makes his home in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Our featured Cherokee dancers are internationally known hoop dancer Eddie Swimmer, Head Man Dancer Dean Swimmer, and champion powwow dancer Nikki Crisp! Eddie Swimmer has captivated audiences across the globe using between 36 and 42 hoops. His accomplishments include a former World Champion Hoop Dancer title, performances in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and in the World Cup Soccer Tournament in Dallas Texas as well as choreographing the Broadway show hoop dance for ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Dean Swimmer has competitively placed in many powwows across the Southeastern United States for many years and has been the featured lead man dancer in a multitude of Native American Festivals. Nikki Crisp as danced across the world as well, and has been performing for over 20 years. Her talents also include traditional beadwork and authentic frybread cooking. Nikki Crisp will be providing food vending for this event, including her famous Indian tacos.

Our 2018 featured storyteller is Freeman Owle. He is a noted lecturer, historian, and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, and has traveled all over the eastern United States lecturing to various groups, which include churches, military units, and schools.   Freeman Owle has told stories and presented programs on Cherokee history and culture throughout the Southeast for more than ten years.

Well known in the Cherokee community, Freeman Owle serves on the board of directors of the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual and is a coordinator for the Cherokee Heritage Trails project of the Blue Ridge Heritage Initiative. He is one of the featured storytellers in the book Living Stories of the Cherokee, and he also appears in the video documentary Cherokee: The Principal People, which aired on public television in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

Our featured speaker is Dr. Michael Abram of the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery in Cherokee, NC, who will provide a glimpse into Cherokee history and legend. He will give two lectures on Saturday, “Cultural meaning of Cherokee Dreams”, and “The Life, Humor, and Wisdom of Will Rogers,” inside the circle of Fort Watauga. Dr. Abram has been presenting at this show since its beginning and is owner of the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery. The gallery is presently being relocated from Cherokee to a location near Chattanooga. Dr. Abram has devoted his life to studying, preserving, and lecturing on Cherokee culture.

Daniel Bigay of Greeneville, TN will entertain with traditional flute music in addition to having his handmade, traditional Cherokee style flutes for sale. Daniel is a flute maker, Artist, Performer/Recording Artist, and demonstrator, who lives with his wife, Kay, in the mountains of Tennessee. He has released two CD’s, the most recent being nominated for best flute recording at the 2005 Indian Summer Music Awards. Daniel and Kay are passionate about education and sharing of the Cherokee culture in the school system, at Pow-Wow’s, and various shows and festivals.

Admission is $6.00 per adult, $1.00 for children. All proceeds from admissions go to Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area to support this event. This event is made possible by the support of Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, the DoubleTree by Hilton, and the Comfort Inn of Johnson City.

For further information please call

(423) 543‑5808.

 

1651 W. Elk Avenue

Elizabethton, TN 37643

 

www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

www.friendsofsycamoreshoals.org

www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals

www.facebook.com/sycamoreshoals